BLACKSBURG – Quarterback Greg McElroy attempted 44 passes in one of No. 5 Alabama’s recent preseason scrimmages. No. 7 Virginia Tech wouldn’t exactly be disappointed if he throws that many times Saturday night.

“We need to stop the run and make their offense one-dimensional,” Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. “They like to be able to run the ball, and their passing game is so much play action pass or quick game, and they take some deep shots off the play action game to keep people in protect.

“Hopefully we can get some one-on-one matchups, and we’ve got to win some of those battles so we can get pressure on McElroy.”

Foster said Utah provided the template for stopping Alabama’s offense in last season’s Sugar Bowl. The Crimson Tide got behind early in that game, which forced it to throw more than usual.

Alabama attempted 30 passes and rushed for only 31 yards on 33 carries, and the Utes sacked then-Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson eight times in their 31-17 upset win.

“They got behind early, and Utah was able to just pin their ears back and get after them a little bit,” Foster said.

McElroy is expected to make his first college start Saturday. The junior has played in eight college games as a reserve.

McElroy is used to waiting. He sat behind former Missouri star quarterback Chase Daniel his sophomore and junior seasons at Southlake (Texas) Carroll High.

When he finally played his senior season, he passed for 4,687 yards and a Texas state record 56 touchdowns in leading his team to a 16-0 record and the Texas Class 5A championship.

“He has been very good. We have every confidence in him as a quarterback,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “My concern would be, are the players around him going to play well enough to allow him to do what he needs to do to be a good player.”